New talks planned on no-go traffic scheme

New measures to restrict traffic in Lancaster city centre’s pedestrian zone, already delayed due to an adminstrative error, have been put back again.

County council chiefs want to have further talks with disabled groups, blue badge holders and businesses before the new measures banning deliveries and almost all other vehicles between 10am and 5pm are finally rolled out.

The fresh delay follows concerns raised by disabled badge holders. Officers say they will suspend the switch in order to carry out “more in-depth consultation.”

The county council will now form a consultation group made up of partner organisations, representatives from disabled people’s groups and businesses, to discuss what form future traffic plans in the city centre should take.

Phil Barrett, director of Lancashire’s highways services, explained: “We are planning to bring in the new scheme to help reduce traffic and improve the way parking is managed in the city centre.

However the recent delay, due to an advertising error, meant we could take further account of concerns raised by blue badge users and local disabled groups. We’ve listened to what they’ve said and instead of bringing in the experimental traffic order, we’re going to carry out a more in-depth consultation.

“There is no doubt that action needs to be taken so we can reduce traffic and make the best use of the space available throughout the city centre for the benefit of all, residents and visitors alike.

“We need to look at the needs of disabled drivers and all our road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. We will be working closely with partner agencies over the next few months, before we decide which experimental scheme we put in place.”